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Late for breakfast…

Thanks to Salasiah for the contribution.

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly
gentleman in his 80’s, arrived to have stitches removed from his
thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:
00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it
would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw
him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with
another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the
needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While
taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation I asked
him if he had a doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such
hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing
home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health.
He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a
victim of Alzheimer Disease.

As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would
be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew
who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was
surprised, and asked him. “And you still go every morning, even though
she doesn’t know who you are?” He smiled as he patted my hand and
said. “She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.”

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and
thought, “That is the kind of love I want in my life.”

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an cceptance
of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. With all the jokes
and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there are some that come along
that have an important message, and this is one of those kinds. Just
had to share it with you all.

“The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the best of everything that comes along their way.”